For the majority of vapers, the most important ingredient in their tasty e-liquid is nicotine. They have decided to give up smoking using vaping as a successful form of replacement therapy, and they require their vape liquid to deliver the nicotine they require. The manufacturers of e-liquid use one of two types of nicotine, most people may not be aware of this so I would like to provide some helpful information on both types of nicotine and their characteristics.
What In My E-Liquid?
To understand how the different types of nicotine affect the characteristics of a great vape, I first want to touch on the other ingredients of e-liquid; these consist of the following-
- Vegetable Glycerin – usually shortened to VG, it is a thick liquid, made from plant oils, it delivers large clouds of vapour when used in e-liquids.
- Propylene Glycol – known as PG, it is used in the food and medicine industries and in a vaping context, it is an excellent flavour carrier.
- Food Flavourings – these are the normal food industry flavourings.
The fourth and most critical component is nicotine, and it can be pre-mixed into ready to use e-liquids or purchased separately by vapers who prefer to mix e-liquid to their unique blend.
The Two Types of Nicotine
As mentioned, there are two different types of nicotine used in e-liquids, the first and more traditional type is called freebase nicotine and was first developed over 60 years ago. The second type is referred to as nicotine salt or nic salts and its use in e-liquid is a recent development in the vaping world.
Freebase Nicotine
In its natural form as a salt, nicotine is not easily absorbed by the human body. Tobacco manufacturers developed a chemical process using ammonia to aid nicotine absorption. The process increases the PH levels of the salts, which in turn allow them to be absorbed more quickly by the lungs when it is burnt. This purest form of nicotine used in vaping e-liquids delivers high amounts very efficiently, but its downside is that it is harsh on the user’s throat.
The Newer Form of Nicotine
The other type of nicotine is also produced from the natural salts in tobacco leaves. But it differs from freebase nicotine in that it does not use any harsh chemicals in the manufacturing process. The newer process instead uses natural acids to change the chemical makeup of nicotine and lower the PH levels allowing the body to absorb the new product at a lower temperature. These effects result in a smoother throat hit and reduction in harshness when the vaper uses a Nic salt-based e-liquid which in turn means a higher level of nicotine can be vaped.
Finding Your Favourite
I hope that information clarifies the differences between the two types of nicotine. I can only suggest you try e-liquids containing both types and see which you prefer, vapers enjoy different sensations for their vape. But with this information about nicotine production and its characteristics, you are better equipped to make an informed decision, happy vaping.
